Ramson responds to info request with dismissive attack

May 08, 2025 News

…mocks citizens’ rights as a “self-induced myth of a constitutional right to information” — Ram

Kaieteur News- After weeks of silence, attorney-at-law Christopher Ram said he has finally received a response from Guyana’s Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson SC. But instead of addressing concerns about transparency, the Commissioner mocked citizens’ rights as a “self-induced myth of a constitutional right to information.”

Ramson responds to info request with dismissive attack

Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson SC,

Ram, who previously announced plans to sue the government over its failure to release information, revealed that Commissioner Ramson replied to his April 23 pre-action letter. This followed weeks of protest action outside of the Commissioner’s office demanding that he carry out his office mandate. According to Ram, the Commissioner of Information described the right to information as a “self-induced myth of a constitutional right” and dismissed citizens’ concerns as “manicured spasms of delusional concern, opportunistic at best, but deceptively disruptive at worst.”

In a letter, Ram explained that instead of responding to the substance of long-outstanding information requests, the Commissioner also threatened to vigorously fight any court challenge. “Rather than address his statutory failures, Ramson threatens that his office will strenuously defend on its behalf any mischievously contrived litigation, however authored, an apparent attempt to intimidate citizens exercising their legal rights,” Ram said.

Ram outlined that the Commissioner of Information Office was established to facilitate the enjoyment of several constitutional rights, guaranteeing inclusive democracy and the right to information. Instead, he said, the office consumes tens of millions in public funds while producing nothing of value. Moreover, Ram also criticized President Irfaan Ali for remaining silent on the issue, despite holding portfolio responsibility for information.

Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram

“It is highly disappointing that the President condones this flagrant mockery of transparency by his silence…To deny citizens the courtesy of a response is bad enough. To effectively refuse to discuss an issue of which you hold portfolio responsibility, and which is the oxygen of democracy and the essence of good governance, does a disservice to the President’s Office,” Ram stated. He said he will proceed with legal action but signalled that the case will now also form part of a broader public campaign demanding transparency and respect for constitutional rights. He highlighted, “The rule of law must be upheld, particularly by those sworn to administer it…”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News